In around 2000, during their time in Lescure, in the Ariège, Giles and Dr. Lisa Barber discovered a large collection of mainly English books and papers in a 'brocante' or second-hand shop in the town of Saint Girons, about 10km from their home. The shopowner knew only that they came from a house clearance in the nearby village of Bouche and was anxious to dispose of them. The Barbers agreed to purchase the entire collection. Gradually, as they sorted the materials, they discovered clues to the identity of the previous owners, Anthony Cooper and Meroë Fleming.

Many of the books were later gifted to the English department of the new university at Albi, and others were passed on to friends, donated to charity bazaars, or sold. The papers were retained by the Barbers.